Sergio Batista Steps Down as Argentina Coach

Sergio Batista has agreed to step down as coach of Argentina after their quarter-final exit at the Copa America.

Hosts Argentina went out to champions Uruguay on penalties in the last eight.

Batista, 48, had been in charge for a year, initially on a caretaker basis, after Diego Maradona was dismissed following the 2010 World Cup.

An Argentine Football Association (AFA) spokesman said Batista had not been sacked, but it had been decided to “rescind” the coach’s contract.

“He put his future as the head of the national team up for consideration by the executive committee,” added spokesman Ernesto Bialo.

SOURCE: BBC Sport

This isn’t a great surprise following what was a very poor Copa America display by the hosts. Argentina limped into the knock-out stages thanks to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica after draws with Bolivia and Colombia. They were then knocked out by Uruguay on penalties.

Batista took over from Diego Maradona after the 2010 World Cup and clearly the AFA is now looking to bring in a new coach before the World Cup qualifiers begin and an early front runner for the position is former Sheffield United and Leeds United midfielder Alejandro Sabella, who currently manages Al Jazira of Abu Dhabi but spent two successful years as boss of Estudiantes who he helped to a Copa Libertadores triumph in 2009.